ET Desk: The Bangladesh Rural Journalists Association (BRJA) has strongly protested the incident in Chandina upazila of Cumilla, where two journalists were handcuffed, sent to the police station, and allegedly tortured over accusations of recording video at the office of the Assistant Commissioner (Land). The organization also demanded a proper investigation and exemplary punishment for those involved.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday (April 2), the organization’s Chairman Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain Ibne Moin Chowdhury and Secretary General Sheikh Mohammad Tajul Islam condemned and protested the incident.
In the statement, they said that handcuffing and harassing journalists while performing their professional duties at a government office is not only inhumane but also a direct attack on press freedom. Such actions are unacceptable under any circumstances.
BRJA leaders stated that the incident took place on Wednesday (April 1) at the office of Chandina Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land), Faisal Al Noor. Later in the evening, a photo of the journalists in handcuffs went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism across the district and sparking public outrage.
Describing the incident, victim journalist Abdul Alim said that a land mutation issue involving one of his relatives had been pending for nearly a year. On the scheduled hearing date, he went to the AC Land office with his colleague Russell Sarkar. Around 1:45 PM, when they inquired about the progress of the hearing, the AC Land became agitated and began behaving rudely.

He further stated that when he attempted to record the behavior, the AC Land tried to snatch his phone and immediately called the police. The two journalists were then detained, handcuffed, and sent to the police station. He also alleged that they were subjected to misconduct during the process.

Abdul Alim claimed that after being taken to the police station, important data and videos were deleted from their mobile phones, and they were forced to sign a written undertaking not to pursue the matter further. He described the incident as a “blatant interference in journalistic practice.”
Local and district-level journalist leaders in Cumilla have also strongly condemned the incident. They stated that such humiliation of journalists while carrying out professional duties is unacceptable in a democratic society and undermines press freedom as well as the public’s right to information.

In their statement, BRJA leaders further emphasized that the government must play a more responsible role in ensuring the safety and dignity of journalists. They also urged the authorities to issue strict directives to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

The organization demanded an immediate impartial investigation, legal action against those responsible, and security for the victim journalists. They also called for departmental action against the concerned official involved in the incident.